Shep Englander, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, speaks during the Cincinnati Stands with Israel rally at the Mayerson JCC, in Amberley Village, on Sunday afternoon. (Photo: The Enquirer/ Amanda Rossmann)

After an estimated 500 demonstrators marched in downtown Cincinnati in support of Palestinians last Sunday, an equally large group gathered in a gymnasium at the Mayerson Jewish Community Center in Amberley Village for a rally in support of Israel and its right to defend itself.

Sunday's event began with a noise that is familiar to those in Israel, as sirens used to alert of missiles sounded off to signify the start of the rally.

"It might be warm in this gym, but it is not as uncomfortable in here as it is in Israel," Marc Fisher, chief executive officer of the Mayerson JCC, said to begin the event.

Unlike last weekend's demonstration, this gathering featured various speakers from the local Jewish community and a video message from U.S. Senator Rob Portman.

Shep Englander, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation Cincinnati, said in an interview with The Enquirer that he wants the community to have a better understanding of what is taking place in Israel and in Gaza instead of just focusing on the number of casualties.

"The focus in some of the media is just on how many casualties we have had today or this week and it misses on some of the really important deeper issues of who are these players and what do they stand for," Englander said.

"Hamas is a terrorist organization that is intentionally targeting civilians. Despite some of the confusing visuals that we see on TV, what's at stake is defending the civilians of a democracy from a terrorist organization that is very similar to Al-Qaeda."

Meanwhile, Israeli military units and Palestinian militants traded fresh attacks Sunday, even as each side offered truces to temporarily halt the bloodshed ahead of the upcoming Muslim holiday, USA Today reported.

"Israel has been wanting a ceasefire from the beginning … while it is positive, it is not a long-term solution," Englander said. "There have been ceasefires before and Hamas has used those to rebuild, rearm and re-attack Israel. We are not naïve.

"A long-term solution would require a government that actually believed in a peaceful coexistence and is willing to negotiate for long-term peace. That is what we would love to see, but that would require a different government than Gaza has today." ■